One of East Boldre’s oldest residents celebrates turning 100 with big part at village’s memorial hall

ONE of East Boldre’s oldest residents has celebrated her 100th birthday with a huge party.

Freda Smith was joined by family and friends at the village’s memorial hall to mark the special occasion.

Among the guests were her two brothers, her 98-year-old cousin Win, a dozen nephews and nieces, and several great nephews and nieces.

Freda was born in 1923 and lived with her seven brothers and sisters and a cousin in Factory Lane.

She attended school in Beaulieu where her father worked on the estate.

Freda went into service at Palace House for the Montagu family.

During the war Freda’s family moved to Fir Tree Cottage, near East Boldre school.

In 1959 she married Eric Smith and moved to New Milton, getting employment at Wellworthy’s Ampress works.

Freda was a “committed” member of the congregation of East Boldre Baptist church for many years.

She and Eric moved back to the village, and following Eric’s death her sister Molly moved in with her. The pair lived together until leaving the village in 2019 to live in a care home in Sway.

Freda has taken part in the East Boldre oral history project detailing her memories of the village over the years.